Microsoft News Tracker

I guess the Ecma submission announcement paid off. Martin LaMonica has the story at ZDNet:

The governor’s office of Massachusetts said Microsoft’s effort to standardize Office document formats could meet the commonwealth’s procurement guidelines.

The state is “optimistic” that Microsoft’s Office Open XML document formats will meet the standard for an “open format” set by Massachusetts, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Gov. Mitt Romney.

More here.

But, not surprisingly, you have to buy a new system to get it (via Bink.nu):

Apple has quietly launched an offer to give Mac buyers money off Microsoft software.

The ‘Office Bonus’ offer, which runs until the end of January next year, gives shoppers 50 per cent off Microsoft Office for Mac when they buy a new Apple desktop or laptop.
…
Apple is seemingly hoping to cash in on the ‘iPod halo’ effect — where new buyers of Apple’s signature music player then go on to buy more Apple kit. Analysts believe that more than one million Windows users may have made the switch to Mac this year, mostly driven by this halo effect.

And a cheaper Windows Office for the Mac might help them make the jump. This article is from the UK, but I checked and the offer is also available at the online USA Apple store on all “new or Apple certified refurbished Apple computers.” Presumably it is available worldwide.

Press release:

Microsoft Corp. today announced the Microsoft Hosting Program, a free offering that provides hosting companies with technical tools and resources to help them deploy and manage Microsoft(R) products. By participating in the program, hosting service providers can streamline their operations by maximizing opportunities for quicker application and service deployment and better management of existing systems.
…
The Microsoft Hosting Program provides hosting providers with free download access to both the Microsoft Solution for Windows(R)-based Hosting and the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration. Members also receive a monthly newsletter that includes valuable technical information, product updates and case studies to help demonstrate the many uses of Microsoft hosting products, as well as marketing resources and toolkits to help members better target customers. In addition, participating organizations become eligible for the Services Provider License Agreement, a licensing program that enables service providers to license Microsoft products on a monthly basis to offer services and hosted applications to their end
customers.
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In addition to the Microsoft Hosting Program, Microsoft recently announced the Hosting Solutions Specialization in the Microsoft Partner Program.

And in related news, Microsoft Enhances Hosted Messaging and Collaboration Solution With New Mobility Features and Hosting Tools:

Microsoft Corp. today announced Microsoft(R) Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration version 3.5, a hosted solution that enables service providers to equip small and midsize businesses (SMBs) with enterprise-class e-mail services, mobile device data access, team Web sites and online presence information. In version 3.5, Microsoft incorporates new mobile synchronization capabilities, a variety of security enhancements, and new tools that lessen management time and extend customer acquisition opportunities for hosting partners. Further, with the latest release of the solution, Microsoft underscores its commitment to building strategic relationships with telecommunications and hosting service providers to deliver a range of services to businesses.

Related Microsoft links:

- Microsoft Hosting Program
- Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting
- Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration
- Microsoft Partner Program